Blog Posts From The Brave Programmer

Microsoft&rsquo;s SQL Server 2008 R2 Available for download.

Aug13

Written by:2009/08/13 09:41 AM

The next release of SQL Server Microsoft has been made available for preview, under its Community Technology Preview (CTP) programme. The SQL Server team is unleashing the first widespread test builds of the next version of Microsoft’s database, aka SQL Server 2008 R2 (codenamed “Kilimanjaro”).

According to Microsoft, the public will get access to the test build on Wednesday, August 12, which according to my time zone, was yesterday. What are you waiting for? Go get it.

There are a few exciting features of the new version of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 allows end-users to publish their data-driven applications through SharePoint. Microsoft said users can create their own analytic applications through Gemini.There will be an Excel 2010 add-in that allows users to manipulate millions of rows of data in a single Excel workbook to simplify data analysis.

"Report Builder 3.0 supports geospatial visualization to produce new insights and discoveries by combining geospatial data with business information," according to Microsoft.

"New wizards enable administrators to quickly set up a multi-server management environment in minutes--no professional services required," said the blog post.

“This CTP provides the first opportunity to explore some of the features of SQL Server 2008 R2 and see how it all comes together to enhance performance and scalability, enable self-service BI and improve IT and developer efficiency. The CTP process is also a great way for you to give us feedback on the new technologies,” the SQL Server team representative commented.